A hotel of galactic proportions

MANILA, Philippines - I’ve seen so many hotel complexes in my lifetime and the size of the new Galaxy Hotel & Resort in Macau’s famous Cotai strip boggles the mind overshadowing next-door neighbor The Venetian. Just the lush tropical garden in the property covers 52,000 square meters. The wave pool on the second floor is over 4,000 square meters white sand imported from faraway Boracay. Over 50 restaurants cater to every taste. There are 2,200 rooms, suites and villas within the complex subdivided into three world-class luxury hotel brands: the ultra exclusive Thai-inspired Banyan Tree Resorts; the landmark Okura Hotel of Japan and the five-star Galaxy Hotel. Costing around $2B to build, it opened its doors to the public on May 15. Although I wasn’t lucky enough to book a suite to attend the opening, my compadre and travel buddy Joey de Leon was lucky to get one through the sheer creativity of his lovely better-half Eileen de Leon.

My meeting with the De Leon couple was scheduled at 11 a.m. I arrived at the main hotel lobby five minutes early but because the walk to the entrance of the Banyan Tree suites was quite a distance, I was 15 minutes late. Upon entering the Banyan Tree lobby, I was immediately bewitched by the flowery smell wafting from the ceiling. I was informed that the scents are changed daily and they promote wellness and tranquility. Pure awe overcame us as we surveyed the size and amenities of the suite the De Leons occupied. Talk about opulence, there was even a mini pool inside and a wooden hot tub reminiscent of ancient spas and it was just an entry-level suite. I could imagine the presidential suite would have an Olympic-size pool complete.

The wave pool-cum-beach of Las Vegas dimensions on the second floor is a first in Macau. Although habitues of Macau (as evidenced by many huge hotels that don’t have swimming pools) are not fond of vast swimming or wading pools, this will absolutely start a trend. It was like being in a real beach resort somewhere in the Caribbean complete with cabanas, wading pools, rolling waves and real palm trees.

That’s me (in black) and my buddy Joey de Leon at the lobby...

One of the main attractions located at the main lobby is a gigantic round frosted fountain that rotates and changes color. Twice an hour, a bright diamond as big as an Innova van appears in the middle of the fountain and sparkles in various angles as it rotates. Tall and lovely Filipina greeters are all over the hotel complex to assist or answer any question you have about the hotel. Around 30 percent of the hotel employees are Pinoys.

A few steps from the lobby is the Lu Gang Restaurant. Because of our wonderful experience at Lu Gang Greenhills (I’m not sure if it’s a franchisee), we decided to go there and order lunch. What a disappointment. Hawker food tasted even better. The food presentation was the only saving grace. Only the mango dessert was good. No wonder at the Greenhills Lu Gang you have to wait for at least an hour to get a table in contrast to Galaxy Lu Gang, where there are more waiters than customers.

For gaming enthusiasts, located at the center of the hotel is a cavernous casino the size of several football fields. We would have loved to check the shops, stalls and hotel outlets but our host had to catch a 4 p.m. flight to Manila. Oh well, we’ll explore the hotel complex on our next trip.

...in the hot tub (without the water).